A Tale of Two Blankets

It's been a very crafty summer around here. Lots of baby-related stuff I didn't want to show until I announced the pregnancy. This weekend I finished two blankets, one knit and one sewn.

Op-Art
Knit on 8's in cascade 220 superwash.

I love this blanket as a final product. I think the increases and optical illusion are very clever and make a unique, modern, baby item. The first several circles are fun - they are easy and quick. The last, larger, circles are boring as hell. This would be a great project for a beginning knitter still working their way through knits and purls - and SO much cooler than a scarf. At this point, I can make this without having to look at the stitches (which is awesome), but the repetitive ks and ps are murder on my wrists. Yes, I'm already gearing up to be able channel full on Jewish mother when I tell my kiddo the sacrifices I endured to finish this blanket.


The second blanket is a receiving blanket from Juicy Bits.


I had an old grey flannel duvet that I was considering tossing when I realized that re-cycled flannel is great for baby crafts. This blanket was very simple: 1 yard patterned fabric, sewn to 1 yd flannel, and bound with a contrasting color. All in all, it took about 4.5 hours to complete.


The fabric is Kelp Forest Aqua from Jay-Cyn's Storeybook II line. It's a beautiful organic cotton that reminds me of northern California.



I've got two more blankets in the works. One is a second receiving blanket like the one above, but backed with minkee, the second is a "floor quilt". A basic quilt that will be backed with more grey flannel and intended for the floor. We have concrete floors around here and I have visions of baby F-J falling over and breaking body parts.